Apparatus holding structure

ABSTRACT

A holding structure according to an exemplary embodiment includes a rotation axis, a stand body, and a clicker. The stand body is rotatable about the rotation axis. When the stand body is rotated about the rotation axis, an upper end portion of the stand body contacts with the clicker. When the stand body is further rotated from a position at which the stand body and the clicker contacts with each other, the stand body rotates beyond the clicker. Thus, the stand body enters an opened state and holds an orientation of an apparatus. When the upper end portion of the stand body rotates beyond the clicker, the clicker is restored from a deformed state to an initial state, and a clicking sound occurs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/859,878, filed on Jan. 2, 2018, which claims priority to thedisclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-001087, filed onJan. 6, 2017, the entire contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The technique shown here relates to a holding structure for holding anorientation of an apparatus.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

To date, a technique for holding an orientation of a substantiallyplate-shaped information processing apparatus having a display unit, byusing a stand other than the apparatus, has been known.

The structure for holding an orientation of an apparatus is required tobe used by users with enhanced convenience.

Therefore, an object of the present technique is to provide a holdingstructure that is capable of holding an orientation of an apparatus andis conveniently used.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present techniquehas the following features.

A holding structure according to the embodiment is a holding structurethat holds, when an apparatus is placed on a placement surface, anorientation of the apparatus. The holding structure includes: an axisportion; a body portion configured to be rotatable about the axisportion and to hold an orientation of the apparatus; and a stoppingportion. The body portion is rotatable about the axis portion from afirst position to a second position, and a part of the body portioncontacts with the stopping portion at an intermediate rotationalposition during rotation of the body portion from the first position tothe second position. The stopping portion stops rotation of the bodyportion in at least one direction.

In the above-described configuration, during rotation of the bodyportion for holding an orientation of the apparatus, a part of the bodyportion contacts with the stopping portion, and the rotation of the bodyportion is stopped by the stopping portion. Thus, unintended rotation ofthe body portion can be prevented, and an orientation of the apparatuscan be stably held, whereby the holding structure can be used withenhanced convenience.

Furthermore, the axis portion may be disposed at an upper portion of thebody portion. The body portion may include a support portion thatextends from the axis portion to a lower end of the body portion andsupports the apparatus, and a projection portion that projects from anupper end of the support portion and contacts with the stopping portionwhen the body portion rotates about the axis portion.

In the above-described configuration, rotation of the body portion canbe stopped by the projection portion that extends in the upper enddirection.

Furthermore, an angled portion may be provided at an end portion of theprojection portion.

In the above-described configuration, since the angled portion isprovided at the end portion of the projection portion, even when thebody portion contacts with the stopping portion, the body portion can beeasily rotated beyond the stopping portion.

Furthermore, a lower end portion of the body portion may contact withthe placement surface when the apparatus is placed on the placementsurface, and an angled portion may be provided at an upper end portion,opposite to the lower end portion, of the body portion.

In the above-described configuration, since the angled portion isprovided at the upper end portion of the body portion, even when thebody portion contacts with the stopping portion, the body portion can beeasily rotated beyond the stopping portion.

Furthermore, an angled surface of the angled portion may be orientedtoward the apparatus.

In the above-described configuration, since the surface of the angledportion is oriented toward the apparatus, in a case where the bodyportion contacts with the stopping portion when, for example, the bodyportion rotates from the first position to the second position, the bodyportion can be easily rotated.

Furthermore, an upper end portion of the body portion and a lower endportion of the stopping portion may be configured to contact with eachother. The upper end portion of the body portion may move toward theapparatus when the body portion is rotated from the first position tothe second position. The stopping portion may be bent or curved towardthe apparatus at least at the lower end portion of the stopping portion.

In the above-described configuration, since the lower end portion of thestopping portion is bent toward the apparatus, a position at which thebody portion and the stopping portion contact with each other can becloser to the apparatus, and the body portion can be stopped at aposition closer to the apparatus.

Furthermore, a stopper portion may be provided at a lower end portion ofthe body portion. The stopper portion may be configured to contact withthe placement surface when the body portion is rotated to the secondposition and the apparatus is placed on the placement surface, and thestopper portion may be formed from a material having a frictioncoefficient greater than the lower end portion of the body portion.

In the above-described configuration, since the stopper portion isprovided at the lower end portion, of the body portion, with which theplacement surface contacts, the body portion can be prevented fromslipping relative to the placement surface.

Furthermore, the body portion may be in a closed state when the bodyportion is at the first position. The body portion may be in an openedstate when the body portion is at the second position. The body portionmay hold an orientation of the apparatus with respect to the placementsurface when the body portion is rotated about the axis portion into theopened state. A rear surface of the body portion may be almost levelwith a rear surface of a housing of the apparatus when the body portionis in the closed state.

In the above-described configuration, the body portion is almost levelwith the rear surface of the housing of the apparatus when the bodyportion is in the closed state. In other words, when the body portion isin the closed state, the height of the body portion and the height ofthe rear surface, other than the body portion, of the housing of theapparatus are almost level with each other in the directionperpendicular to the rear surface of the housing, and a stepped portionis not formed in a boundary between the body portion and a portion, ofthe housing, other than the body portion.

Furthermore, the body portion may be in a closed state when the bodyportion is at the first position. The body portion may be in an openedstate when the body portion is at the second position. The body portionmay form a part of an outer surface of a housing of the apparatus whenthe body portion is in the closed state. A width, in a lateraldirection, of the body portion may be less than a width, in the lateraldirection, of the housing of the apparatus.

In the above-described configuration, by the body portion that is a partof the outer surface of the housing of the apparatus being rotated, anorientation of the apparatus can be held.

Furthermore, the axis portion may be a metal member.

In the above-described configuration, even when the body portion isrepeatedly rotated, the axis portion can be prevented from being worn.

Furthermore, a lower end portion of the body portion may be configuredto contact with the placement surface when the apparatus is placed onthe placement surface. The lower end portion of the body portion may bebent or curved toward the apparatus.

In the above-described configuration, since the lower end portion of thebody portion is bent or curved, the lower end portion of the bodyportion can be brought into contact with the placement surface at anangle closer to an angle perpendicular to the placement surface, wherebythe body portion can be prevented from slipping relative to theplacement surface.

Furthermore, a holder configured to engage with the stopping portionsuch that the holder and the stopping portion can separate from eachother, may be provided. The stopping portion may be engaged with theholder and fixed to the apparatus.

In the above-described configuration, even when, for example, thestopping portion is worn due to repeated contact with the body portion,the stopping portion can be changed.

Furthermore, the holding structure may be provided in the apparatus.

In the above-described configuration, since the holding structure isprovided in the rear surface of the apparatus, the orientation of theapparatus can be held without using a supporting device other than theapparatus.

Furthermore, the body portion may be in a closed state when the bodyportion is at the first position. The body portion may be in an openedstate when the body portion is at the second position. The body portionmay be configured to hold an orientation of the apparatus with respectto the placement surface when the body portion is in the opened state.At least one projection that is configured to engage with an engagementportion provided in the apparatus when the body portion is in the closedstate may be provided on a rear side of the body portion.

In the above-described configuration, the body portion can be caused toengage with the apparatus when the body portion is in the closed state,and the closed state can be maintained.

Furthermore, an axis support configured to support the axis portion suchthat the axis portion is rotatable, may be provided, the axis portionmay be fixed to the body portion, and a diameter of the axis support maybe less than a diameter of the axis portion.

In the above-described configuration, since the diameter of the axissupport is less than the diameter of the axis portion, when the bodyportion is rotated with a high force, the axis portion and the bodyportion are relatively easily detached from the axis support. Therefore,the holding structure and the apparatus can be prevented from beingdamaged.

Another embodiment is an apparatus including a holding structure forholding an orientation of the apparatus when the apparatus is placed ona placement surface. The apparatus includes: an axis portion; a bodyportion configured to be rotatable about the axis portion and to hold anorientation of the apparatus; and a stopping portion. The body portionis rotatable about the axis portion from a first position to a secondposition, and a part of the body portion contacts with the stoppingportion at an intermediate rotational position during rotation of thebody portion from the first position to the second position. Thestopping portion stops rotation of the body portion in at least onedirection.

Another embodiment is a holding structure that is configured to supportan apparatus that is placed on a placement surface in a predeterminedorientation. The holding structure includes a body and a hinge. The bodyincludes a retaining structure adjacent a first end, the retainingstructure including: a first central portion that is straight exceptadjacent a screw hole that is laterally centered on the first centralportion; two first lateral straight portions that are at opposed ends ofand perpendicular to the first central portion and extending away fromthe first central portion towards the first end, and two first curvedportions that connect the two first lateral straight portions to thefirst central portion. The hinge structure includes: a second centralportion that is straight; two second lateral straight portions that areat opposed ends of the second central portion and that are perpendicularto the second central portion and that extend away from the secondcentral portion towards the first end; two second curved portions thatconnect the two second lateral straight portions to the second centralportion; and a first projection and a second projection extending fromrespective ones of the two second lateral straight portions andextending along an axis that is parallel to the second central portion,the first projection and the second projection projecting outward fromthe hinge structure in opposite directions, in which the retainingstructure and the hinge structure are each substantially U-shaped andthe retaining structure is nested within the hinge structure.

Furthermore, a screw with a head is further provided, and the screw isretained in the screw hole, the head retains the hinge portion bycovering part of the second central portion of the hinge portion, and acenter of the head is on an opposite side of the first central portionfrom the second central portion.

Furthermore, the body further includes a second end opposite the firstend, the second end is curved and includes two projections projectingfrom a radially interior side of the curve, and the projections areconfigured to be received in respective recesses of the apparatus toretain the holding structure against the apparatus in a closed state.

Furthermore, the first end includes a surface that is angled withrespect to an overall length of the holding structure such that when theholding structure is rotated from a first position to a second positionabout the axis, the surface has an orientation in the second positionthat is orientated toward the apparatus.

Still another embodiment is a holding structure that holds, when anapparatus is placed on a placement surface, an orientation of theapparatus. The holding structure includes an axis portion and a bodyportion. The body portion is configured to be rotatable about the axisportion and to hold an orientation of the apparatus. The body portion isrotatable about the axis portion from a first position to a secondposition. A part of the body portion is configured to contact with astopping portion of the apparatus at a position during rotation of thebody portion from the first position to the second position, thestopping portion being configured to stop rotation of the body portionin at least one direction.

According to the embodiment, the holding structure that holds anorientation of the apparatus can be used with enhanced convenience.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of theexemplary embodiment will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example non-limiting rear view of an information processingapparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an example non-limiting perspective rear view of aninformation processing apparatus 1 in a state where an orientation ofthe information processing apparatus 1 is held by using a stand 10;

FIG. 3 is an example non-limiting diagram illustrating an example of astate where the information processing apparatus 1 is placed on aplacement surface and the orientation of the information processingapparatus 1 is held by the stand 10;

FIG. 4 is an example non-limiting view of the information processingapparatus 1 in a state where the stand 10 is opened, as viewed from therear surface;

FIG. 5 is an example non-limiting partially enlarged view of a storageportion 2 a in the rear surface of the information processing apparatus1;

FIG. 6 is an example non-limiting perspective view of the stand 10 asviewed from the front surface;

FIG. 7 is an example non-limiting perspective view of the stand 10 asviewed from the rear surface;

FIG. 8 is an example non-limiting partially enlarged view of the rearsurface side of a lower end portion of the stand 10;

FIG. 9 is an example non-limiting partially enlarged view of the lowerend portion of the stand 10 and a housing 2 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1, illustrating a state where the stand 10 shiftsfrom an opened state to a closed state;

FIG. 10 is an example non-limiting view of a cross-section of theinformation processing apparatus 1;

FIG. 11 is an example non-limiting enlarged view of a dashed-lineportion shown in FIG. 10(b); and

FIG. 12 is an example non-limiting diagram illustrating a positionalrelationship between a stand body 11 and a clicker 16 in the case of thestand body 11 being rotated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A holding structure for holding an orientation of an informationprocessing apparatus according to an example of the present embodimentwill be described below. FIG. 1 is an example non-limiting rear view ofan information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.FIG. 2 is an example non-limiting perspective rear view of aninformation processing apparatus 1 in a state where an orientation ofthe information processing apparatus 1 is held by using a stand 10.

The information processing apparatus 1 is substantiallythin-plate-shaped and has a laterally elongated shape. The informationprocessing apparatus 1 allows applications (for example, gameapplications, applications for performing other information processing,and the like) to be executed, and may be, for example, a game apparatus,a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The information processing apparatus1 is, for example, a hand-held apparatus, and may have such a size thatcan be held by a user with both hands or one hand of the user. On thefront surface of the information processing apparatus 1, a screen of adisplay unit (not shown) is provided. Furthermore, a battery may beprovided in a housing 2 of the information processing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stand 10 is provided in the rear surface of theinformation processing apparatus 1. The stand 10 has a length that isshorter in the up-down direction (y-axis direction in FIG. 1) than therear surface of the information processing apparatus 1, and also shorterin the left-right direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 1) than the rearsurface of the information processing apparatus 1. For example, thestand 10 is provided leftward of the center in the left-right directionin the case of the information processing apparatus 1 being viewed fromits rear surface.

In a state where the stand 10 is closed, the stand 10 forms a part ofthe rear surface of the information processing apparatus 1.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a storage portion 2 a having almostthe same size as the stand 10 is formed in a lower left region of therear surface of the housing 2 of the information processing apparatus 1.In a state where the stand 10 is closed, the stand 10 is stored in thestorage portion 2 a. The depth (height in the z-axis direction) of thestorage portion 2 a of the housing 2 is almost equal to the thickness(thickness in the z-axis direction) of the stand 10. In a state wherethe stand 10 is closed, the height of the stand 10 is almost level withthe height of a rear surface portion, of the housing 2, other than thestand 10 (in the z-axis direction). That is, in a state where the stand10 is closed, the rear surface of the housing 2 including the stand 10is almost flat, and a stepped portion is not substantially formed in aboundary portion between the stand 10 and the rear surface, of thehousing 2, other than the stand 10.

Meanwhile, in a state where the stand 10 is opened, the stand 10projects in the rear surface direction, and, by the stand 10 thatprojects in this manner, the orientation of the information processingapparatus 1 is held, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an example non-limiting diagram illustrating an example of astate where the information processing apparatus 1 is placed on aplacement surface and the orientation of the information processingapparatus 1 is held by the stand 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in a case wherethe stand 10 provided in the rear surface of the information processingapparatus 1 is opened and is placed on a placement surface such as atable, the front surface (screen of the display unit) of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 is oriented diagonally upward so as to form apredetermined angle relative to the placement surface. As shown in FIG.3, a stopper member 12 is provided as an anti-slip member in a lower endportion of the stand 10. Toward the lower end of the stand 10, the stand10 is curved toward the information processing apparatus 1 so as to havean almost arc shape toward the information processing apparatus 1. Thatis, the lower end portion of the stand 10 is round-shaped. As shown inFIG. 3, a boundary portion between the bottom surface and the rearsurface of the information processing apparatus 1 is round-shaped. In astate where the stand 10 is closed, the round-shaped portion at thelower end portion of the stand 10 forms a part of the round-shapedportion at the boundary portion between the bottom surface and the rearsurface of the information processing apparatus 1. Thus, when the stand10 is closed, the boundary portion between the bottom surface and therear surface of the information processing apparatus 1 is round-shapedalmost over the entirety, in the left-right direction (directionperpendicular to the drawing sheet in FIG. 3), of the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

FIG. 4 is an example non-limiting view of the information processingapparatus 1 in a state where the stand 10 is opened, as viewed from therear surface. FIG. 5 is an example non-limiting partially enlarged viewof the storage portion 2 a in the rear surface of the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, a card slot 3 into which a memory card (for example,micro SD card) is inserted is formed in the storage portion 2 a in therear surface of the information processing apparatus 1. The stand 10 isused also as a cover for the card slot 3. That is, the stand 10functions to cause the information processing apparatus 1 to stand andhold the orientation of the information processing apparatus 1 in astate where the stand 10 is opened, and functions as a cover for thecard slot 3 in a state where the stand 10 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of recesses 4 are formed in the storageportion 2 a in the rear surface of the information processing apparatus1. The recesses 4 serve as an engagement portion (engaged portion) thatengages with projections 13 (see FIG. 7) of the stand 10. The stand 10is maintained in the closed state by the recesses 4 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 and the projections 13 of the stand 10 beingengaged with each other.

FIG. 6 is an example non-limiting perspective view of the stand 10 asviewed from the front surface. FIG. 7 is an example non-limitingperspective view of the stand 10 as viewed from the rear surface. FIG. 8is an example non-limiting partially enlarged view of the rear surfaceside of the lower end portion of the stand 10. FIG. 9 is an examplenon-limiting partially enlarged view of the lower end portion of thestand 10 and the housing 2 of the information processing apparatus 1,illustrating a state where the stand 10 shifts from an opened state to aclosed state.

As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the stand 10 includes a stand body 11, andthe stopper member 12 provided at the lower end portion of the standbody 11. Furthermore, the pair of projections 13 are provided on therear surface side of the lower end portion of the stand body 11.Moreover, a hinge portion 14 is provided on the rear surface side of theupper end portion of the stand body 11.

The stand body 11 is an almost rectangular thin-plate-shaped member. Thelower end portion of the stand body 11 is curved in the rear surfacedirection (front surface direction of the information processingapparatus 1) of the stand body 11. The stand body 11 is formed from, forexample, a synthetic resin such as plastic. The housing 2 of theinformation processing apparatus 1 is also formed from a resin. Theprojections 13 are formed so as to be integrated with the stand body 11.The projections 13 are engagement portions that engage with the recesses4 of the housing 2 when the stand 10 is closed. As shown in FIG. 9, whenthe stand 10 is in a closed state, the projections 13 engage with therecesses 4 of the housing 2, to maintain the stand 10 in the closedstate.

Furthermore, the stopper member 12 is formed from a member having afriction coefficient greater than the stand body 11, and is formed from,for example, silicone rubber. Specifically, LIMS molding is performedusing liquid silicone rubber, whereby the stopper member 12 made ofsilicone rubber is formed so as to be in close contact with the lowerend portion of the stand body 11.

The hinge portion 14 is formed from a metal (for example, iron oraluminium). The hinge portion 14 is a member that allows the entirety ofthe stand 10 to rotate. The hinge portion 14 is fixed to the stand body11 by means of a screw 17. The hinge portion 14 and a structure forsupporting the hinge portion 14 such that the hinge portion 14 isrotatable will be described below.

Next, the upper end portion of the stand 10 will be described in detail.

FIG. 10 is an example non-limiting view of a cross-section of theinformation processing apparatus 1. FIG. 10(a) is a right side view ofthe information processing apparatus 1. FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line B-B in FIG. 10(a). Furthermore, FIG. 11 is anexample non-limiting enlarged view of a dashed line portion in FIG.10(b).

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a stand holder 15 is fixed, by means ofa screw, to the housing 2 on the rear surface side of the informationprocessing apparatus 1. The stand holder 15 is a member for fixing thestand 10 to the information processing apparatus 1. The stand holder 15is formed from, for example, a resin such as plastic. The stand holder15 may be formed from, for example, a material (material having a highstrength) harder than the stand body 11 and the housing 2 of theinformation processing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the stand holder 15, a clicker 16 (stoppingportion) is fixed to the information processing apparatus 1. As shown inFIG. 11, the stand holder 15 has two openings, and a part of the clicker16 engages with the openings. The stand holder 15 and the clicker 16 areformed from different members, respectively, so as to be separable fromeach other. The clicker 16 is formed from a material softer than thehousing 2 and the stand holder 15, and is formed from, for example, anelastomer (for example, TPE: thermoplastic elastomer).

The hinge portion 14 is positioned by a portion 11 a of the stand body11, and is retained by the screw 17, whereby the hinge portion 14 isfixed to the stand body 11.

The stand holder 15 supports the hinge portion 14 such that the hingeportion 14 is rotatable. Specifically, the stand holder 15 has a pair ofaxis supports 15 a, 15 b that oppose each other. The hinge portion 14has a pair of hemispherical projections 14 a, 14 b that project in theleft-right direction. The projection 14 a of the hinge portion 14engages with the axis support 15 a of the stand holder 15 and theprojection 14 b of the hinge portion 14 engages with the axis support 15b of the stand holder 15. Thus, the stand holder 15 supports the hingeportion 14 and the stand body 11 such that the hinge portion 14 and thestand body 11 are rotatable about an axis that extends between theprojection 14 a and the projection 14 b.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the inner diameters of the axissupports 15 a, 15 b of the stand holder 15 are less than the outerdiameters of the projections 14 a, 14 b of the hinge portion 14.Therefore, the projection 14 a of the hinge portion 14 is not completelycovered by the axis support 15 a of the stand holder 15. That is, a partof the projection 14 a is fitted into the axis support 15 a. The same isapplied to the axis support 15 b and the projection 14 b.

By the stand holder 15 and the hinge portion 14 being thus structured,the stand body 11 that includes the hinge portion 14 is supported so asto be rotatable about an axis that extends between the projection 14 aand the projection 14 b of the hinge portion 14. A portion, of the standbody 11, below the straight line that connects between the projections14 a and 14 b of the hinge portion 14 is a support portion 11 c thatsupports the information processing apparatus 1. A portion, of the standbody 11, above the straight line is a projection portion 11 b. In thiscase, when the stand body 11 rotates, the upper end portion of theprojection portion 11 b of the stand body 11 contacts with the clicker16. The movement of the stand body 11 in the case of the stand body 11being rotated will be described below.

FIG. 12 is an example non-limiting diagram illustrating a positionalrelationship between the stand body 11 and the clicker 16 in the case ofthe stand body 11 being rotated. In the lower views of FIG. 12, a statewhere the stand body 11 gradually shifts from the closed state (firstposition) to the opened state (second position), is shown. The upperviews of FIG. 12 represent enlarged views of the dashed line portions inthe lower views. In FIG. 12, a cross-sectional view taken along the lineA-A in FIG. 1 is shown, and portions necessary for describing apositional relationship between the stand body 11 and the clicker 16 areindicated, and the other portions are simplified.

As shown in FIG. 12, the stand body 11 rotates about the straight line,serving as the rotation axis, which extends between the projections 14 aand 14 b of the hinge portion 14. When the stand body 11 is rotatedcounterclockwise by a predetermined angle (angle less than an angle in astate shown in FIG. 12(d)) in a state where the stand body 11 is in theclosed state (FIG. 12(a)), the upper end portion (the projection portion11 b, also referred to as the end portion) of the stand body 11 contactswith the clicker 16 as shown in FIG. 12(b). As shown in FIG. 12, theclicker 16 has its lower end portion bent or curved toward theinformation processing apparatus 1 (in the front surface direction ofthe information processing apparatus 1: the z-axis negative direction).Since the lower end portion of the clicker 16 is bent or curved in thez-axis negative direction, a position at which the clicker 16 and theupper end portion of the stand body 11 contact with each other, isleftward, in FIG. 12, of a position at which the clicker 16 and theupper end portion of the stand body 11 contact with each other in a casewhere the clicker 16 is not bent or curved. That is, since the clicker16 is bent or curved, the stand body 11 needs to be rotated more greatlyas compared to a case where the clicker 16 is not bent or curved, inorder to bring the upper end portion of the stand body 11 into contactwith the clicker 16.

When the stand body 11 is further rotated counterclockwise in the stateshown in FIG. 12(b), the clicker 16 is elastically deformed by beingpressed in the z-axis negative direction by the upper end portion of thestand body 11. When the stand body 11 is further rotated, the upper endportion of the stand body 11 rotates beyond the lower end portion of theclicker 16 to move in the front surface direction (z-axis negativedirection) of the information processing apparatus 1, and the state isas shown in FIG. 12(c). At this time, the clicker 16 is restored fromthe deformed state to an initial state, and clicking sound occurs.

When the stand body 11 is further rotated in the state shown in FIG.12(c), the upper end portion of the stand body 11 contacts with a partof the stand holder 15 as shown in FIG. 12(d). Specifically, the upperend portion of the stand body 11 has an angled portion that isdiagonally angled when the stand body 11 is closed. The surface of theangled portion is oriented toward the information processing apparatus 1and the surface of the angled portion contacts with a part of the standholder 15. In a state shown in FIG. 12(d), the stand body 11 does notfurther rotate. In the description herein, a state where the stand body11 is opened to the maximum, is referred to as the maximum opened state(that is, the opened state shown in FIG. 12(d)). The orientation of theinformation processing apparatus 1 is maintained in the maximum openedstate as shown in FIG. 3.

As described above, the outer diameter of the projection 14 a, 14 b ofthe hinge portion 14 is greater than the inner diameter of the axissupport 15 a, 15 b of the stand holder 15. Therefore, the hinge portion14 is easily detached from the stand holder 15. That is, since theprojections 14 a, 14 b of the hinge portion 14 are partially fitted intothe axis supports 15 a, 15 b, if high force is applied to the hingeportion 14, the hinge portion 14 is detached from the stand holder 15.Therefore, when force is further applied in the state shown in FIG.12(d) in a direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 12) in whichthe stand 10 is opened, force is applied to the projections 14 a, 14 bof the hinge portion 14. When the force exceeds a certain limit, theentirety of the stand 10 including the stand body 11 is detached fromthe stand holder 15. Therefore, even when, for example, a user forciblyopens the stand 10 or the information processing apparatus 1 is treadedon when the information processing apparatus 1 is caused to stand by thestand 10, the stand 10 is merely detached from the informationprocessing apparatus 1, and the stand 10 or a portion, of the rearsurface of the information processing apparatus 1, at which the stand 10is fixed is less likely to be damaged.

Thus, the upper end portion of the stand body 11 contacts with theclicker 16 before the stand body 11 enters the maximum opened stateshown in FIG. 12(d). By the upper end portion of the stand body 11contacting with the clicker 16, a user can know a position up to whichthe stand body 11 can be opened, before the stand body 11 enters themaximum opened state. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in a casewhere the stand body 11 is further rotated beyond a position at whichthe upper end portion of the stand body 11 contacts with the clicker 16,a clicking sound occurs. The clicking sound allows the user to know thatthe stand body 11 is close to the maximum opened state. That is, in thepresent embodiment, since a clicking sound occurs before the stand body11 enters the maximum opened state, the user can easily know a positionup to which the stand body 11 can be opened. Furthermore, since theclicker 16 is bent or curved in the front surface direction of theinformation processing apparatus 1, the clicking sound occursimmediately before the stand body 11 enters the maximum opened state.Thus, the stand 10 and a portion, of the rear surface of the informationprocessing apparatus 1, at which the stand 10 is fixed can be preventedfrom being damaged, and/or the stand 10 can be prevented from beingdetached from the information processing apparatus 1.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(d), when the stand body 11 is in themaximum opened state, the upper end portion of the stand body 11 ispositioned closer to the front surface side (side in the z-axis negativedirection) of the information processing apparatus 1 than the lower endportion of the clicker 16 is. Even when the stand body 11 is rotated inthis state so as to be closed, the upper end portion of the stand body11 contacts with the lower end portion of the clicker 16, and theclicker 16 stops clockwise rotation of the stand body 11 (rotation inthe closing direction).

Thus, when the stand body 11 is in the maximum opened state, the standbody 11 can be inhibited from rotating so as to be closed. Therefore,closing of the stand 10 against the user's intension can be prevented,and the orientation of the information processing apparatus 1 can bestably held. Moreover, since the clicker 16 is bent or curved in thefront surface direction of the information processing apparatus 1, aclearance can be reduced when the stand body 11 is in the maximum openedstate. That is, a difference between: an angle between the stand body 11and the housing 2 in the state shown in FIG. 12(d); and an angle betweenthe stand body 11 and the housing 2 in the state shown in FIG. 12(c) canbe reduced. Thus, when the information processing apparatus 1 is causedto stand by using the stand body 11, the information processingapparatus 1 is less likely to become unstable. When the stand body 11 isin the maximum opened state, the upper end portion of the stand body 11and the lower end portion of the clicker 16 may be brought into contactwith each other such that no clearance is formed.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the hinge portion 14 isformed from a metal, even when opening and closing of the stand 10 isrepeated, the projections 14 a, 14 b of the hinge portion 14 are noteasily worn. Therefore, even when opening and closing of the stand 10 isrepeated, the projections 14 a, 14 b of the hinge portion 14 and theaxis supports 15 a, 15 b of the stand holder 15 firmly engage with eachother, and the stand body 11 can be prevented from being easily detachedor becoming unstable.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the clicker 16 is formed from anelastic material (for example, elastomer). Therefore, the clicker 16 isrelatively easily deformed, and, also in a case where, when the standbody 11 is opened or closed, the upper end portion of the stand body 11contacts with the clicker 16, a user is allowed to open or close thestand body 11 with relatively low force.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the angled portion is providedat the upper end portion of the stand body 11. Thus, also in a casewhere the upper end portion of the stand body 11 contacts with theclicker 16, the stand body 11 can be easily rotated beyond the clicker16. Moreover, since the angled portion comes into surface contact with apart of the stand holder 15, the stand body 11 can be easily supported,and the stand body 11 can be easily maintained in the maximum openedstate.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stopper member 12 isprovided at the lower end portion of the stand 10. Therefore, frictionbetween the stand 10 and the placement surface can be increased, toprevent the stand 10 from slipping. Moreover, the lower end portion ofthe stand 10 is curved toward the inner side of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, a contact area in whichthe stopper member 12 contacts with the placement surface can beincreased, to prevent the stand 10 from slipping.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stand holder 15, the clicker16, and the hinge portion 14 are each produced as a separate component,and can be disassembled. Therefore, for example, even in a case wherethe clicker 16 is worn due to opening and closing of the stand 10 beingrepeated, the clicker 16 can be changed.

Although the stand 10 for holding the orientation of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is describedabove, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative, andnumerous other modifications and variations can be devised.

For example, the material of each of the stand body 11, the stoppermember 12, the hinge portion 14, the stand holder 15, the clicker 16,and the like as described above is merely an example, and thesecomponents may be formed from other materials. Moreover, the shapes ofthese components are merely examples, and are not limited to the shapesdescribed above.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the hinge portion 14 hasthe projections 14 a and 14 b and is almost U-shaped. The hinge portionmay have another shape. For example, the hinge portion may from a linearaxis. Moreover, the hinge portion may not be formed from a metal butformed from a resin.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the clicker 16 is bentor curved in the front surface direction of the information processingapparatus 1. However, in another embodiment, the clicker may be linearlyformed. Moreover, the clicker may be bent or curved in the rear surfacedirection of the information processing apparatus 1.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the stand body 11 hasthe projection portion 11 b that projects upward from the rotation axis(the projections 14 a and 14 b of the hinge portion 14), and the supportportion 11 c below the rotation axis, and the projection portion 11 bcomes into contact with the clicker 16. In another embodiment, the shapeof the stand body 11 may be any shape when a part of the stand body 11comes into contact with the clicker 16. For example, a portion, of thestand body 11, which comes into contact with the clicker 16, and asupport portion for supporting the information processing apparatus 1may be provided below the rotation axis.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, the stand body 11 may have theclicker, and a stopping portion that contacts with the clicker when thestand body rotates may be provided. In this case, by the clickerprovided in the stand body 11 being deformed, the clicking sound may becaused.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, a clicking sound iscaused by the clicker 16. However, the clicking sound may notnecessarily be caused. For example, when a part of the stand bodycontacts with the stopping portion before the stand body enters themaximum opened state, and rotation of the stand body in at least onedirection is stopped by the stopping portion, a user is allowed to knowa position at which the stand body enters the maximum opened state.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 12(d),when the stand body 11 is in the maximum opened state, the clicker 16does not contact with the stand body 11 and a so-called clearance isformed. In another embodiment, when the stand body 11 is in the maximumopened state, the clicker 16 may be in contact with the stand body 11.That is, in the state shown in FIG. 12(d), the clicker 16 may be incontact with the upper end portion of the stand body 11. In this case,the upper end portion of the stand body 11 may be urged by the clicker16 in the rotating direction (direction in which the stand body 11shifts from the closed state (first position) to the opened state(second position), i.e., the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 12). Bythe stand body 11 being urged in the rotating direction by the clicker16 in the case of the stand body 11 being in the maximum opened state,the stand body 11 can be firmly fixed in the maximum opened state.

While certain example systems, methods, devices and apparatuses havebeen described herein, it is to be understood that the appended claimsare not to be limited to the systems, methods, devices and apparatusesdisclosed, but on the contrary, are intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holding structure that holds, when an apparatusis placed on a placement surface, an orientation of the apparatus, theholding structure comprising: an axis portion; a body portion configuredto be rotatable about the axis portion and to hold an orientation of theapparatus; and a stopping portion, wherein the body portion is rotatableabout the axis portion from a first position to a second position, and apart of the body portion contacts with the stopping portion at anintermediate rotational position during rotation of the body portionfrom the first position to the second position, and the stopping portionstops rotation of the body portion in at least one direction.
 2. Theholding structure according to claim 1, wherein the axis portion isdisposed at an upper portion of the body portion, and the body portionincludes a support portion that extends from the axis portion to a lowerend of the body portion and supports the apparatus, and a projectionportion that projects from an upper end of the support portion andcontacts with the stopping portion when the body portion rotates aboutthe axis portion.
 3. The holding structure according to claim 2, whereinan angled portion is provided at an end portion of the projectionportion.
 4. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein a lowerend portion of the body portion contacts with the placement surface whenthe apparatus is placed on the placement surface, and an angled portionis provided at an upper end portion, opposite to the lower end portion,of the body portion.
 5. The holding structure according to claim 3,wherein an angled surface of the angled portion is oriented toward theapparatus.
 6. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein anupper end portion of the body portion and a lower end portion of thestopping portion are configured to contact with each other, the upperend portion of the body portion moves toward the apparatus when the bodyportion is rotated from the first position to the second position, andthe stopping portion is bent or curved toward the apparatus at least atthe lower end portion of the stopping portion.
 7. The holding structureaccording to claim 1, wherein a stopper portion is provided at a lowerend portion of the body portion, and the stopper portion is configuredto contact with the placement surface when the body portion is rotatedto the second position and the apparatus is placed on the placementsurface, and the stopper portion is formed from a material having afriction coefficient greater than the lower end portion of the bodyportion.
 8. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the bodyportion is in a closed state when the body portion is at the firstposition, the body portion is in an opened state when the body portionis at the second position, the body portion holds an orientation of theapparatus with respect to the placement surface when the body portion isrotated about the axis portion into the opened state, and a rear surfaceof the body portion is almost level with a rear surface of a housing ofthe apparatus when the body portion is in the closed state.
 9. Theholding structure according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is in aclosed state when the body portion is at the first position, the bodyportion is in an opened state when the body portion is at the secondposition, the body portion forms a part of an outer surface of a housingof the apparatus when the body portion is in the closed state, and awidth, in a lateral direction, of the body portion is less than a width,in the lateral direction, of the housing of the apparatus.
 10. Theholding structure according to claim 1, wherein the axis portion is ametal member.
 11. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein alower end portion of the body portion is configured to contact with theplacement surface when the apparatus is placed on the placement surface,and the lower end portion of the body portion is bent or curved towardthe apparatus.
 12. The holding structure according to claim 1,comprising a holder configured to engage with the stopping portion suchthat the holder and the stopping portion can separate from each other,and the stopping portion is engaged with the holder and fixed to theapparatus.
 13. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein theholding structure is provided in the apparatus.
 14. The holdingstructure according to claim 13, wherein the body portion is in a closedstate when the body portion is at the first position, the body portionis in an opened state when the body portion is at the second position,the body portion is configured to hold an orientation of the apparatuswith respect to the placement surface when the body portion is in theopened state, and at least one projection that is configured to engagewith an engagement portion provided in the apparatus when the bodyportion is in the closed state is provided on a rear side of the bodyportion.
 15. The holding structure according to claim 1, comprising anaxis support configured to support the axis portion such that the axisportion is rotatable, wherein the axis portion is fixed to the bodyportion, and a diameter of the axis support is less than a diameter ofthe axis portion.
 16. An apparatus comprising a holding structure forholding an orientation of the apparatus when the apparatus is placed ona placement surface, the apparatus comprising: an axis portion; a bodyportion configured to be rotatable about the axis portion and to hold anorientation of the apparatus; and a stopping portion, wherein the bodyportion is rotatable about the axis portion from a first position to asecond position, and a part of the body portion contacts with thestopping portion at an intermediate rotational position during rotationof the body portion from the first position to the second position, andthe stopping portion stops rotation of the body portion in at least onedirection.
 17. A holding structure that is configured to support anapparatus that is placed on a placement surface in a predeterminedorientation, the holding structure comprising: a body including aretaining structure adjacent a first end, the retaining structureincluding a first central portion that is straight except adjacent ascrew hole that is laterally centered on the first central portion, twofirst lateral straight portions that are at opposed ends of andperpendicular to the first central portion and extending away from thefirst central portion towards the first end, and two first curvedportions that connect the two first lateral straight portions to thefirst central portion; and a hinge structure comprising a second centralportion that is straight, two second lateral straight portions that areat opposed ends of the second central portion and that are perpendicularto the second central portion and that extend away from the secondcentral portion towards the first end, two second curved portions thatconnect the two second lateral straight portions to the second centralportion, and a first projection and a second projection extending fromrespective ones of the two second lateral straight portions andextending along an axis that is parallel to the second central portion,the first projection and the second projection projecting outward fromthe hinge structure in opposite directions, wherein the retainingstructure and the hinge structure are each substantially U-shaped andthe retaining structure is nested within the hinge structure.
 18. Theholding structure according to claim 17, further comprising a screw witha head, wherein the screw is retained in the screw hole, the headretains the hinge portion by covering part of the second central portionof the hinge portion, and a center of the head is on an opposite side ofthe first central portion from the second central portion.
 19. Theholding structure according to claim 17, wherein the body furtherincludes a second end opposite the first end, the second end is curvedand includes two projections projecting from a radially interior side ofthe curve, and the projections are configured to be received inrespective recesses of the apparatus to retain the holding structureagainst the apparatus in a closed state.
 20. A holding structure thatholds, when an apparatus is placed on a placement surface, anorientation of the apparatus, the holding structure comprising: an axisportion; and a body portion configured to be rotatable about the axisportion and to hold an orientation of the apparatus; wherein the bodyportion is rotatable about the axis portion from a first position to asecond position, and a part of the body portion is configured to contactwith a stopping portion of the apparatus at a position during rotationof the body portion from the first position to the second position, thestopping portion being configured to stop rotation of the body portionin at least one direction.